Hey running readers! While I’m focusing on being a new mom, I’ve lined up some great info for you in this Spotlight blog series. This is a great way for you to get to know other great run coaches and fitness pros. Who do we have this week?

Spotlight: Susie Lemmer

Running Coach, Trainer & Blogger
Find her at Suzlyfe.com, Twitter & Instagram
Contact her at coachsuztraining [at] gmail

Why did you become a run coach?

I became a running coach not just because of my love of the sport (which I obviously adore) but because I have witness and experienced the transformative power of running, of achieving more than you ever though possible, and I wanted to share that with others. Everyone has the chance to live beyond expectations!

I’ve also learned a lot of things the hard way…I’d rather you didn’t!

What is your coaching style/ philosophy?

I am firm, but fair, but I want my athletes to know that I am their biggest cheerleader. I want my athletes to laugh, to hate me and question me a little bit at the beginning of a run, but to text me after the run and tell me they never thought they could, but they did.

What piece of advice do you frequently give to runners?

Oh, I have so many “gems,” but one that I always come back to is to “Set yourself up for success, every day.” Related to that is to trust your coach! That means do your homework, find someone that understands your situation: are you a consistently injured single mother with a full time job wanting to run her first marathon? Are you a first time runner? Are you a sub elite runner looking to move up? Do your homework, find a coach that will work with you to get the most out of your work, and if they tell you to do x before every run, do x. Set yourself up for success from the first step!

Run Coach @SuzLyfe reminds you to 'Set yourself up for success, every day.' Read more > Click To Tweet

When should runners hire a coach?

When they want more, but they don’t know how to get there, or they are consistently dealing with obstacles: schedule, injury, bad previous experiences, lack of support. You don’t need to be getting ready for a marathon to hire a coach! I have a few single mother clients: one is training for a marathon, another is just trying to work fitness and running back into her life.

Another great time? When coming back from injury–by enlisting a coach, you can come back in such a way that prevents future injury and, like I said, sets you up for success!